Pull-proof fiber optic array connector

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a fiber optic cable connector for providing a low cost connector that provides strain relief to optical fibers without compromising an optical coupling. The cable connector has a connector body that has front and back ends. The front end of the cable body has a pair of latching members extending therefrom and a mounting post that also extends therefrom. The back end of the connector body is tapered to form a cable transition member. A connector body cover is provided to protect optical fibers residing between the connector body and the body cover. A fiber alignment block, or ferrule, is provided that has a fiber receiving surface for receiving at least one optical fiber and a connector body engagement surface and an optical interface surface. A plurality of alignment grooves are formed in the receiving surface for aligning the at least one optical fiber. The connector body engagement surface of the ferrule includes a receiving cavity for receiving the mounting post of the connector body.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/660,296filed Jun. 7, 1996 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,097).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is related to co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/544,611, Filed Oct. 18, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,017,entitled Fiber Optic Ribbon Cable With Pre-Installed Locations ForSubsequent Connectorization; and is a Continuation-In-Part co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/456,571, now patented with U.S. Pat.No. 5,574,817, entitled Fiber Optic Ribbon Cable Assembly and Method ofManufacturing Same, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,817, filed Jun. 1,1995 and issued Nov. 12, 1996 the disclosures of which are hereinincorporated by reference in this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to connectors for opticalfibers. In particular, the present invention relates to a Pull-ProofFiber Optic Array Connector wherein the optical fibers provide strainrelief.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical fiber ribbon cables are well known for the transmission ofoptical signals. Use of optical cables, including optical fiber ribboncables, has generally been limited to long haul trunking installationswhere the improved transmission characteristics of the optical fibersjustify the greater expense and difficulty associated with theirmanufacturing and installation. As the demands on communication mediacontinue to increase, the advantages of using optical cable fortransmission of signals across shorter distances, or for interconnectinglocal devices, continues to grow. With this growth has come the need toconnect fiber optic ribbon cables to a multiplicity of devices.

Numerous optical cable connectors have been introduced within the pastfew years. Examples of known multi-fiber connectors include thoseavailable from Berg Electronics under the trade designation MAC, andthose avialable from US Conec. under the trade designation MT. Furtherexamples of optical connectors are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,420,952 to Katsura, et al.; 5,276,755 to Longhurst; 5,500,915 toFoley, et al.; 4,784,457 to Finzell; 5,430,819 to Sizer II, et al.; and5,287,426 to Shahid.

Many of the known connectors are equipped with strain relief features.For example, the Longhurst, U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,755 discloses amultipart optical fiber connector having a connector body connected to aplurality of optical fibers via a separate strain relief member.

Without proper strain relief, optical fibers in a connector may beeasily damaged. Often times, the damage is not readily apparent, and infact, the damage may be of a type that does not manifest itself forweeks, months or years. Standard strain relief members typically providesome protection from bending, and also provide protection from torsionalor axial forces. However, many of the known strain relief members aresecured to the connector such that when an axial force is applied to thecable, the connector is pulled away from the coupled device thusdestroying the coupling integrity. Additionally, when the axial force isremoved, the fibers on the face of the connector are often times chippedand damaged as a result of the connectors smashing into one another.

Connectors do exist which strain-relief the fibers without compromisingthe optical coupling, but these connectors require separate strengthmembers within the body of the cable in order to perform their function,thus adding cost. While the known optical connectors fulfill the needfor coupling optical devices, there exists a need for a connector thatprovides strain relief to the fibers without compromising the opticalcoupling and without adding significant cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a fiber optic cable connector that satisfiesthe existing need for providing a low cost connector that providesstrain relief to optical fibers without compromising the integrity of anoptical coupling. The cable connector has a connector body that hasfront and back ends. The front end of the connector body has a pair oflatching members extending therefrom and a mounting post that alsoextends therefrom. The back end of the connector body is tapered to forma cable transition member. A connector body cover is provided to protectoptical fibers residing between the connector body and the body cover. Afiber alignment block, or ferrule, is provided that has a fiberreceiving surface for receiving at least one optical fiber. A pluralityof alignment grooves are formed in the receiving surface for aligningthe at least one optical fiber. The ferrule includes a connector bodyengagement surface and an optical device interface surface. Theconnector body engagement surface of the ferrule includes a receivingcavity for receiving the mounting post of the connector body. Thereceiving cavity of the ferrule also includes a spring.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector bodyhas a recessed floor which creates a fiber chamber between the connectorbody cover and the floor. The combination of the spring loaded ferruleand the fiber receiving chamber help provide a pull-proof connectorassembly by allowing the ferrule to retract relative to the connectorbody, thus isolating the ferrule from external forces applied to thebody.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a figure of a prior art multi-fiber optical connector.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a connector body and alignmentblock, or ferrule, with cover plates according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the connector body of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the ferrule of FIG. 2 with a portioncut away.

FIGS. 5(a)-5(f) are side views, with adhesive tape layers shown incross-section, of a method of manufacturing a fiber optic ribbon cablehaving a connector body and ferrule according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a ribbon cable for fieldconnectorization.

FIGS. 7(a)-7(d) are cross-sectional views of a method of fieldinstallation of a connector assembly according to the present invention.

FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are top plan views of a connector body and ferrulemated together in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a connector assembly having fiberscontained therein with portions cut away.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a connector body and ferruleof the present invention along with a latching shell, a latchingmechanism and a coupling housing.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a partially assembled connectorassembly according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a fiber optic cable connectorassembly that provides strain relief by the fibers themselves withoutneeding a separate strain relief member. As discussed in the backgroundsection, there are many known optical fiber connectors having strainrelief members. One such example is illustrated in FIG. 1. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, a mating connector 20 is provided for matingfirst and second optical cables 22. Ferrules 24 are provided and areconnected to optical fibers 22a. Strain relief members 26 are providedinside of cable 22 and typically run longitudinally down the length ofcable 22. These strain members 26 are usually braided Kevlar® (Dupont)fibers which serve to increase the tensile strength of the entire lengthof the cable as well as providing tensile strain relief to theconnectors at the cable ends. Strain members 26 are usually bonded to aconnector body 21 by a crimp ring 23 or other like feature. Ferrule 24is provided with a spring 27 and is allowed to float relative to thebody 21, thus in essence, providing a strain relieved connection. In thepresent invention the need for an additional strength member within thecable is eliminated. This is possible because the combined strength ofthe fibers is high enough to provide adequate tensile strain relief. Intypical installations, the optical fibers are weakened by the variousstripping procedures required when installing a fiber optic connector.Since the connector assembly of the present invention can be applieddirectly over the fibers in the cabling process, as described below andin the related co-pending applications, these stripping procedures areunneeded.

The present invention is illustrated perspectively in FIG. 2. A fiberoptic cable connector assembly is illustrated generally at 28 having aconnector body 30 and a fiber alignment block, or ferrule, 32. Connectorbody 30 is provided to transition optical fibers from an optical fibercable to ferrule 32. Ferrule 32 on the other hand, is provided to alignthe optical fibers and to directly interface with other like ferrules orwith a number of different light-emitting components such as LEDs, laserarrays, edge-emitting lasers, superluminescent diodes, vertical cavitysurface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and other surface emitting devices.Additionally, ferrule 32 may interface with a number of differentopto-electronic detectors. In the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a connector body cover 34 and a ferrule cover 36 areprovided, for protecting optical fibers positioned there beneath. Itshould be noted, however, that covers 34 and 36 could be eliminatedwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention connector body 30 is madeof plastic and ferrule 32 is made of ceramic. However, it should benoted that either or both of the connector body 30 and ferrule 32 couldbe manufactured from ceramic, plastic, metal or other materials withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Connector body 30 has a front end 38, a back end 40, a top portion 42and a bottom portion 44 (not seen). As can be seen in additional detailin FIG. 3, latching arms 46 extend from front end 38 at the outerperiphery of connector body 30. Extending from the center of front end38 is a mounting post 48. As can be seen in FIG. 2, connector body 30tapers from front end 38 to back end 40 and begins to taper at bevelline 41. Tapered back end 40 provides for a gentle transition from afiber optic ribbon cable to the connector body. Projecting substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of connector body are retentionmembers 49 and stops 51, the purposes of which will be described indetail below.

Top portion 42 has a recessed floor 50 which is best seen in FIG. 2.Recessed floor 50 has a rear transition platform 52 and a front lip 54.A raceway 56 is also provided on top portion 42 for receiving connectorbody cover 34. Raceway 56 is provided such that when connector bodycover 34 is mounted on to connector body 30, connector cover 34 is flushwith the top of connector body 30. This is important for reasons thatwill be evident below.

Ferrule 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, has a connector bodyengagement surface 58 (not seen in FIG. 2), an optical fiber engagingsurface 60, an optical device interface surface 62 and sides 64. Aplurality of alignment grooves 66 are formed in fiber engagement surface60 for aligning optical fibers. In the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, grooves 66 are V-shaped, however, othercross-sectional shapes could be chosen such as semi-circular orrectangular without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentinvention.

Sides 64 of ferrule 32 contain latching ears 74 for engagement withlatching arms 46 of connector body 30. As can be seen in FIG. 4, ferrule32 also contains a receiving cavity 76 in connector body engagementsurface 58. A spring 78 is mounted inside of receiving cavity 76 tospring load ferrule 32 with respect to connector body 30 such that theassembly is pull-proof, as will be described in detail below.Alternative arrangements of a spring are also considered within thespirit and scope of the present invention such as a washer-style springpositioned on mounting post 48.

FIGS. 5(a)-5(f) illustrate an assembly process of a fiber optic ribboncable having connector body 30 and ferrule 32 installed thereon. Thepresent invention will be described with reference to a multi-fiberribbon cable 80, but it should be understood that the present inventioncould also apply to single fiber cables as long as the single fiber wasstrong enough to provide strain relief. As illustrated in FIGS.5(a)-5(f), at least one optical fiber 82 is drawn from a correspondingspool (not shown) which holds optical fibers. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, optical fibers 82 are TECS™ hardclad fiber FT-200-EMA, available from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.,however, it should be noted that fiber optic cables utilizing a varietyof different optical fibers would also be acceptable.

An array of fibers are positioned over a pair of connector assemblies 28each comprising a connector body 30 and a ferrule 32. The connector pairis then brought into contact with the fiber array. Connector body covers34 and ferrule covers 36 are then brought into contact with the fiberarray and the connector assemblies. In the embodiment illustrated, thereare two separate connector body covers 34 and a dual ferrule cover 37,which when cut in half forms two individual ferrule covers 36. At thispoint, the covers are bonded in place and optical fibers 82 are bondedto transition platform 52 of connector body 30, and fibers 82 are alsobonded in grooves 66. In an alternative embodiment, prior to bonding thecovers in place, optical fibers 82 may be bonded to transition platform52 of connector body 30 and in grooves 66. The bonding materials used inthe present invention are commonly known, such as multi-part epoxy, or alight curing adhesives such as those available from ABLESTIK under thetrade designation Luxtrak LCR 0603B+UV. Fibers 82 may also be potted ingrooves 66 near interface surface 62 for ease of polishing the fibers.

After covers 34 and 37 are properly positioned, upper and lower adhesivetape layers, 86 and 88, respectively, are provided to sandwich opticalfibers 82 therebetween creating fiber optic ribbon cable 80. A pair ofcompression rollers (not shown) are preferably used to supply the forcenecessary to secure upper and lower adhesive tape layers 86 and 88 withoptical fibers 82 therebetween. Where present, connector body 30 andferrule 32 are also sandwiched between upper and lower adhesive tapes 86and 88. Upper and lower tape layers 86 and 88 are each three layerplanar tape assemblies comprised of an inner-encapsulating layer, anadhesive layer and an outer protective layer. The encapsulating layerserves to encapsulate the fibers and is preferably comprised of adeformable material such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive, thermosetadhesive, thermal plastic adhesive, radiation curable adhesive, gel,foam, fibrous material, deformable plastic or any combination thereof.The adhesive layer is interposed between the inner layer and the outerlayer and is preferably comprised of a material such aspressure-sensitive adhesive, thermoset adhesive, thermal plasticadhesive, radiation curable adhesive, mechanically interlockingstructures or any combination thereof. The outer protective layer servesas the outer jacket for the fiber optic ribbon cable and is preferablycomprised of vinyl or plastic material which is suitable for a varietyof environmental applications or may be comprised of plastic, metal,fabric or any combination thereof. For a more detailed description ofthe method of making a ribbon cable, reference should be made toapplicants' co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/456,571, nowpatented with U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,817, entitled: Fiber Optic RibbonCable Assembly and Method of Manufacturing Same, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

The connector assembly is thus encapsulated in tape layers 86 and 88 ina continuous run of fiber optic cable 80. Tape layers 86 and 88 are thenpeeled back approximately to bevel line 41 exposing the connector pair,dual ferrule cover 37 and a portion of both connector body covers 34.The purpose for peeling back tape layers 86 and 88 is to allow theferrule and ferrule cover to fit into a latching shell 92, as will bedescribed and illustrated below. After peeling back tape layers 86 and88, dual ferrule cover 37 and the fiber array are cut with a diamondsaw. Severed ferrule cover 36 and the fiber array are then polishedflush with optical device interface surface 62.

Connector body 30 and ferrule 32 of the present invention could also befield installed. For a detailed description of ribbon cables preparedfor field installation and methods of field installation, referenceshould be made to applicants' co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 08/544,611, Filed Oct. 18, 1995, now patented with U.S. Pat. No.5,611,017, entitled Fiber Optic Ribbon Cable With Pre-InstalledLocations For Subsequent Connectorization, the disclosure of which isherein incorporated by reference.

In a field installable application, a fiber optic ribbon cable havingaccess points manufactured in line with the ribbon cable so as toprovide a simple access point to the fibers for installing a connectorthereon is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a pair of adhesive tapelayers 130 and 132 are provided about optical fibers 134 to create afiber optic ribbon cable 136. At least one release element 138 isprovided between the adhesive tape layers and the optical fibers at oneor more access points along the ribbon cable to allow easy access to thefibers therein. By having the access points manufactured in line withfiber optic ribbon cable 136, the resulting ribbon cable is much easierto connectorize in the field.

FIGS. 7(a)-7(d) illustrate one method of field connectorization. Forfield connectorization, a technician must first locate one of the accesspoints on ribbon cable 136. Once found, the cable is cut at the accesspoint. After the cable is cut adhesive tape layers 130 and 132 may beeasily peeled back exposing optical fibers 134 at the access pointbecause the release elements prevent the adhesive side of the tape layerfrom adhering to the optical fibers. Once the tape layers are peeledback, a connector assembly 140 is then installed onto the exposedfibers. The release elements are then removed from the tape layers andthe adhesive side of each tape layer is then secured to the outersurface of the connector assembly. Finally, any excess tape is trimmedoff.

FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) illustrate top plan views of connector body 30 andferrule 32 mated together. In FIG. 8(a), ferrule 32 is illustrated inits quiescent state with internal spring 78 not compressed. FIG. 8(b)illustrates ferrule 32 being partially retracted toward connector body30 which in turn compresses spring 78. In this position, any coaxialforce if exerted on back end 40 is transmitted to connector body 30 butnot to ferrule 32. In this way, pull-proof strain relief is provided tofibers situated in grooves 66 (not shown) of ferrule 32.

A further illustration of the pull-proof strain relief feature of thepresent invention is illustrated schematically in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is acut-away top plan view of connector body 30 and ferrule 32 illustratingindividual fibers 82 as they are retained beneath connector body cover34 and ferrule cover 36. Optical fibers 82 are only adhered to connectorbody 30 at transition platform 52. They are allowed to float betweenrecessed floor 50 and connector cover 34 throughout the remaining lengthof connector body 30. By having recessed floor 50 recessed a substantialdistance from the top of connector body 30, optical fibers 82 areallowed to buckle and bow without interference. This then assists in thepull-proof strain relief feature of the present invention. FIGS. 10 and11 are cross-sectional views that illustrate the difference betweenfibers 82 secured tightly below ferrule cover 36 in FIG. 10, and fibersfloating between recessed floor 50 and connector body cover 34 in FIG.11.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly 28along with latching shell 92 and a coupling assembly 94. Couplingassembly 94 comprises a latching mechanism 96 and a coupling housing 98.FIG. 13 illustrates a partially assembled assembly wherein connectorbody 30 and ferrule 32 are secured in latching shell 92 via latchingmechanism 96. Latching shell 92, latching mechanism 96 and couplinghousing 98 are all preferably made of plastic, but as with connectorbody 30 and ferrule 32, they could be made of glass, ceramic or othermaterials.

Latching shell 92 is a substantially rectangular hollow body structurefor receiving a substantial portion of connector body 30 and ferrule 32.Latching shell 92 has a top portion 100, front portion 101, sides 102,and rear portion 103. Sides 102 have ramped tabs 104 for facilitatingthe push-pull latching feature of the present invention. Slots 106 areformed in sides 102 of latching shell 92 through which retention members49 and stops 51 project. As can be seen, latching shell 92 is wider atrear portion 103 than at front portion 101 to allow retention members 49and stops 51 to pass through. Top portion 100 has an abutment member 108positioned to prevent latching shell 92 from being inserted further incoupling housing 98 than desired.

Latching mechanism 96 is a substantially H-shaped dual latch. Latchingmechanism 96 has first and second latching ends 110 and 112,respectively. Both first and second latching ends 110 and 112 have apair of latching arms 114 for engagement in latching shell 92 withretention members 49 of connector body 30. Latching mechanism 96 alsohas a coupling portion 116 where ferrules 32 are coupled.

Coupling housing 98 houses a single latching mechanism 96 for couplingtwo connector assemblies 28 together. Coupling housing 98 is arectangular hollow structure having a pair of slots 118 in the top ofthe housing for receiving abutment members 108 of latching shells 92. Apair of fastening tabs 120 are also provided to secure coupling housingwhen desired.

When fully assembled, optical fibers 82 provide strain relief, thepull-proof feature, to the connector, without needing additional strainrelief members. When connector assembly 28 is latched into place,ferrule 32 is retracted relative to connector body 30 thus decouplinglatching arms 46 of connector body 30 from latching ears 74 of ferrule32 and providing slack in the fibers within the connector body. Thisallows a load to be applied to cable 80 and thus to fibers 82 within thecable via tape layers 86 and 88. The load is then transferred toconnector body 30 via the adhesive bond between fibers 82 and transitionplatform 52, and thus to coupling assembly 94 via latching mechanism 96.Finally, the load is transferred to the world via fastening tabs 120 oncoupling housing 98. Therefore, the load is transferred from cable 80 tothe world all without disturbing ferrule 32 and thus without disturbingthe optical coupling.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic cable connector assembly forconnection to at least one optical fiber, the connector assemblycomprising:a connector body having a front end and a back end, whereinthe connector body comprises a front wall at the front end with an uppersurface and a lower surface, a substantially flat transition platformadjacent the back end, a pair of side walls tapering from the front wallto the transition platform, a recessed floor joining the side walls andextending from the transition platform to the lower surface of the frontwall, wherein the floor and the side walls define a strain reliefchamber; a fiber alignment block mateable generally with the front endof the connector body, wherein the alignment block comprises an opticaldevice interface surface, a fiber receiving surface with at least onealignment groove; and wherein the at least one optical fiber is attachedto the connector body at the transition platform and to the alignmentblock in the alignment groove and the fiber alignment block isretractable when mated relative to the connector body, the strain reliefchamber having inner dimensions sufficient to allow the optical fiber tobow without interference when the fiber alignment block is retracted. 2.The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector body furthercomprises latching members and a mounting post protecting from theconnector body and the fiber alignment block includes a connector bodyengagement surface comprising a retention structure for engaging thelatching members of the connector body, a cavity to receive the mountingpost on the connector body and a spring member positioned within thecavity which biases the mounting post.
 3. The connector assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the retention structure comprises latching ears forengagement with latching members of the connector body.
 4. The connectorassembly of claim 3 wherein the alignment block is movable between thefront end of the connector body and the latching members.
 5. Theconnector assembly of claim 1 further including a spring between theconnector body and the alignment block.
 6. The connector assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising a connector body cover mountable on theconnector body, and wherein the at least one optical fiber floatsbetween the recessed floor and the connector body cover.
 7. Theconnector assembly of claim 1 further comprising an alignment blockcover mountable on the alignment block.
 8. The connector assembly ofclaim 1 further comprising a latching shell that receives the connectorbody and fiber alignment block.
 9. The connector assembly of claim 8comprising a coupling assembly.
 10. The connector assembly of claim 9,wherein the coupling assembly has a latching mechanism and a couplinghousing, wherein the latching mechanism engages the connector body andwherein the coupling housing houses the latching mechanism, the latchingshell, the alignment block and a portion of the connector body whenfully assembled.
 11. A fiber optic cable connector assembly forproviding a connection of a fiber optic cable having at least oneoptical fiber, the connector assembly comprising:a transition structurehaving a front and a back end; an alignment structure releasablyfastened to the front end of the transition structure, wherein theoptical fiber is aligned and retained by the alignment structure, andwherein the alignment structure is movable relative to the transitionstructure when fastened; and a retention structure for retaining theoptical fiber at the back end of the transition structure, wherein theretention structure comprises a substantially flat transition platform;wherein the transition structure comprises a recessed floor and sidewalls defining a chamber, and wherein the optical fiber is retained bythe retention structure and the optical fiber is free to bow in saidchamber, the chamber having inner dimensions sufficient to allow theoptical fiber to bow without interference when the alignment structuremoves relative to the transition structure.
 12. The connector assemblyof claim 11 wherein the transition structure includes latches forreleasably latching the alignment structure.
 13. The connector assemblyof claim 11 wherein the alignment structure has a spring biased to repelthe alignment structure away from the transition structure.
 14. A fiberoptic ribbon cable assembly comprising:a connector assembly comprising:aconnector body having a front end and a back end, wherein the connectorbody comprises a front wall at the front end with an upper surface and alower surface, a substantially flat transition platform adjacent theback end, a pair of side walls tapering from the front wall to thetransition platform, and a floor joining the side walls and extendingfrom the transition platform to the lower surface of the front wall, thefloor and the side walls defining a chamber sized to allow an opticalfiber to bow, and a fiber alignment block mateable with the connectorbody, wherein the alignment block comprises an optical interface devicesurface, a fiber receiving surface with at least one alignment groove,and a connector body engagement surface; at least one optical fiber,wherein the optical fiber is attached to the connector body at thetransition platform and to the alignment block in the alignment groove;and a first and a second adhesive tape layer sandwiching the opticalfiber and at least a portion of the connector assembly into a generallyflat cable configuration.
 15. The ribbon cable assembly of claim 14, theconnector body further comprising a latching member and a mounting postprojecting outwardly from the front wall, and wherein the connector bodyengagement surface comprises a retention structure for engaging thelatching members of the connector body and a cavity to receive themounting post on the connector body, wherein the cavity furthercomprises, a spring member which biases the mounting post.
 16. Theribbon cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the latching members and themounting post project from the connector body along the longitudinalaxis of the connector body and the retention structure compriseslatching ears for engagement with latching members of the connectorbody.
 17. The ribbon cable assembly of claim 15 wherein the alignmentblock is movable between the front end of the connector body and thelatching members.
 18. The ribbon cable assembly of claim 17 wherein thealignment block is movable a maximum compression distance between thefront end of the connector body and the latching members, wherein alength of the optical fiber is suspended above the chamber, and whereinthe chamber has lateral and vertical dimensions sufficient toaccommodate a bow of the length of optical fiber resulting from themovement of the alignment block the maximum compression distance. 19.The ribbon cable assembly of claim 14, further including a springbetween the connector body and the alignment block.
 20. The ribbon cableassembly of claim 14 further comprising a connector body cover mountableon the connector body, and wherein the at least one optical fiber floatsin the chamber between the recessed floor and the connector body cover.21. The ribbon cable assembly of claim 14 further comprising analignment block cover mountable on the alignment block.
 22. The ribboncable assembly of claim 14 further comprising a latching shell thatreceives the connector body and fiber alignment block.
 23. The ribboncable assembly of claim 14 further comprising a coupling assembly. 24.The ribbon cable assembly of claim 23 wherein the coupling assemblycomprises a latching mechanism and a coupling housing, wherein thelatching mechanism engages the connector body and wherein the couplinghousing houses the latching mechanism, the latching shell, the alignmentblock and a portion of the connector body when fully assembled.